Body size changes among otters, Lutra lutra, in Norway: the possible effects of food availability and global warming

Using museum data of adult specimens whose sex, age, and locality are known, we studied temporal and geographical body size trends among the otter, Lutra lutra, in Norway. We found that body size of the otters increased during the last quarter of the twentieth century, and suggest that this trend is related to increased food availability from fish farming and possibly also to energy saving due to elevated sea temperatures. Birth year and death year explained 38.8 and 43.5%, respectively, of the variation in body size. Body size of otters was positively related to latitude, thus conforming to Bergmann’s rule.     

Recommendations for the use of species diversity indices with reference to a recently published article as an example

There are some recommendations for the use of species diversity indices in a paper recently published in this journal by M. Ohsawa on the species richness and composition of weevils in five forest types in the middle region of Japan. Because several factors, such as small sample size, calculation of Simpson’s diversity index by the use of the original equation of Simpson’s measure of concentration D, and a weak point in the Shannon–Wiener diversity index H′, may have led to biased estimates, I recalculated these indices using combined species diversity values of the five forest types. As the general tendencies of 1−D and H′ values calculated here were similar to those in Ohsawa’s paper, there is no need to propose any change to his view. However, these recalculated diversity indices indicated that they are values which are more suitable for use. It should be noted that the characteristics and weak point associated with the diversity indices need to be taken into account in future studies.     

Interaction of an entomopathogen with an insect social form: an epizootic of Thelohania solenopsae (Microsporidia) in a population of the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta

This is the first report of Thelohania solenopsae infections in monogyne (single-queen) Solenopsis invicta colonies in the field. In a 0.2-ha plot near Baton Rouge, Louisiana, inter-colony prevalence was 63% infection in June, 1999, when the population was 100% monogyne. In February, 2000, 21% of 33 monogyne and 90% of 10 polygyne colonies were infected. By May, 2001, the polygyne colonies had disappeared and only one of 34 monogyne colonies was infected, the final detection of T. solenopsae in the plot. Colony size did not differ significantly among the four types (monogyne versus polygynexinfected versus uninfected).     

Age-related alteration of PKC, a key enzyme in memory processes

Brain aging is characterized by a progressive decline of the cognitive and memory functions. It is becoming increasingly clear that protein phosphorylation and, in particular, the activity of the calcium-phospholipid-dependent protein kinase C (PKC) may be one of the fundamental cellular changes associated with memory function. PKC is a multigene family of enzymes highly expressed in brain tissues. The activation of kinase C is coupled with its translocation from the cytosol to different intracellular sites and recent studies have demonstrated the key role played by several anchoring proteins in this mechanism. PKC-phosphorylating activity appears to be impaired during senescence at brain level in a strain-dependent fashion in rodents. Whereas the levels of the various isoforms do not show age-related alterations, the enzyme translocation upon phorbol-ester treatment is deficitary among all strains investigated. Anchoring proteins may contribute to this activation deficit. We discuss also modifications of the PKC system in Alzheimer's disease that may be related to pathological alterations in neurotransmission. A better insight of the different factors controlling brain-PKC activation may be important not only for elucidating the molecular basis of neuronal transmission, but also for identifying new approaches for correcting or even preventing age-dependent changes in brain function.     

The ecological distribution of reproductive mode in oribatid mites, as related to biological complexity

The high incidence of asexuality in oribatid mites presents an unusual opportunity for examining hypotheses for the maintenance of sex. There is a presumed range in age of asexual species: many oribatid species are phylogenetically clustered, occurring in speciose early-derivative families or genera without sexual species, while others are phylogenetically isolated from other asexual species, occurring in later derivative taxa with sexual congeners. We examined the distribution of oribatid mite reproductive mode in soil of corn fields, grassy and shrub fields, and forests in central New York State (three replicate plots of each type, with 25 samples per plot), to test three ecological predictions from current theory. (1) If overall biotic uncertainty, as generated by competitors and predators, mediates the ecological distribution of oribatid mites, then the proportion of asexual oribatid mites should be negatively correlated with biological diversity; we examine this prediction using literature data as well. (2) If Muller’s Ratchet (the stochastic loss of best genotypes, which is independent of environment), mediates the success of asexuality, then no ecological pattern should exist. (3) If general purpose genotypes are characteristic of asexual oribatid mites, their habitat distribution should be broader than that of sexual species. For each plot the level of asexuality was compared to indices of overall biotic diversity, as calculated from the pooled oribatid mite (competitors) and mesostigmatid mite (predator) communities. We found no negative correlation in this relationship in our own data or in the literature analysis of 290 faunal surveys from 50 literature sources, so we reject biotic uncertainty as an important determinant of reproductive mode distribution. When only data on phylogenetically clustered asexuals are considered, there is instead a positive correlation between asexuality and diversity that is not explained. Because of the latter pattern we tentatively reject Muller’s Ratchet as the primary factor maintaining reproductive mode in these mites, but cannot reject it for isolated asexual species. Niche breadth in sexual and asexual oribatid mites provides no support for widespread general purpose genotypes but broad patterns in the literature suggest that the idea needs further investigation. Possible complicating or unknown factors that are discussed include historical disturbance in the study area, the relationship between parasitism and general biotic diversity, and the level and source of genetic diversity in asexual oribatid mites.     

Use of desmids to assess the natural conservation value of a Hungarian oxbow (Malom-Tisza,NE-Hungary)

A method recently proposed by Coesel that uses the desmid flora to assess the conservation value of aquatic habitats was applied to an alkaline and hypertrophic oxbow of the Upper Tisza river (NE Hungary). According to the macrophyte community the oxbow contains two distinct habitats, both of which provide suitable conditions for the development of a rich desmid flora. High temporal and spatial differences in the algal flora were observed in periphyton and plankton samples taken in June and August 2004. The sample of Utricularia vulgaris periphyton collected in August was characterised by the most species-rich desmid flora. The conservation value of this sample was the maximum according to Coesel’s method. The latter also proved to be useful for the assessment of the conservation value of plankton net samples taken from among the macrophytes. The use of modified rarity value calculations as recently proposed by Fehér did not significantly affect the conservation value, but different enumeration methods to quantify the floristic diversity did result in different conservation values. We found that Coesel’s desmid based method is a useful tool for assessing the conservation value of the studied oxbow. Based our results the Coesel method’s applicability and usefulness depended on (i) the sampling location (open water or macrophytic region) samples were taken from open water or from macrophytic region; and (ii) species enumeration procedures (up to 400 specimens counted, or whole droplets counted). Presented at the International Symposium Biology and Taxonomy of Green Algae V, Smolenice, June 26–29, 2007, Slovakia.     

Breeding ecology of an Old World high-altitude warbler, Phylloscopus affinis

Reproduction of Tickell’s Leaf Warblers Phylloscopus affinis was studied in an alpine valley (29°27′N, 91°40′E, 3,980–5,600 m) in the Lhasa mountains, Tibet, at the upper elevational limit of the species’ breeding range. This species is a summer breeder, and is the only breeding Phylloscopus species in the valley. It nested in all types of shrubby vegetation across the altitudinal range of the valley. Most nests were placed close to the ground (<1 m) in low thorn bushes. Egg-laying dates fell between late May and early July, most within the first 3 weeks after the commencement of breeding. Mean clutch size was 4.0 (3–5) and mean brood size at fledging 3.4 (2–5). Incubation was by the females and lasted 13–14 days, and both parents cared for the young for 14–17 days. Nestlings ready to leave the nest were 13% heavier than the adults. Overall, 76% of nesting attempts produced at least one fledged young. Some aspects of the breeding biology of this high-altitude warbler were compared with those of lower-altitude Phylloscopus species.     

Mechanism of DNA Damage and Apoptosis Induced by Tetrahydropapaveroline, a Metabolite of Dopamine

Tetrahydropapaveroline (THP), a metabolite of dopamine, has been suspected to be associated with dopaminergic neurotoxicity of L-DOPA. THP induced apoptosis in human leukemia cell line HL-60 cells, but did not in its hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)-resistant clone HP100. THP-induced DNA ladder formation in HL-60 cells was inhibited by a metal chelator. THP induced damage to ³²P-labeled DNA fragments in the presence of metals. In the presence of Fe(III)EDTA, THP caused DNA damage at every nucleotide. The DNA damage was inhibited by free hydroxy radical (^·OH) scavengers and catalase, suggesting that the Fe(III)EDTA-mediated DNA damage is mainly due to ^·OH generation. In the presence of Cu(II), THP caused DNA damage mainly at T and G of 5′-TG-3′ sequence. The inhibitive effect of catalase and bathocuproine on Cu(II)-mediated DNA damage suggested that H₂O₂ and Cu(I) participate in the DNA damage. This study demonstrated that THP-induced apoptosis via reactive oxygen species generated from reaction of H₂O₂ and metals plays an important role in cytotoxicity of L-DOPA.     

Nylanderia deceptrix sp. n., a new species of obligately socially parasitic formicine ant (Hymenoptera,Formicidae)

Obligately socially parasitic ants are social parasites that typically lack the sterile worker caste, and depend on the host species for survival and brood care. The genus Nylanderia has over 130 described species and subspecies, none of which, until this study, were known social parasites. Here we describe the first social parasite known in the genus, Nylanderia deceptrix. Aspects of the biology of the host species, Nylanderia parvula (Mayr 1870), and Nylanderia deceptrix are examined. The data from both the host and the parasite species are combined to better understand the host-parasite relationship.     

Testing the level of ant activity associated with quorum sensing: An empirical approach leading to the establishment and test of a null-model

On the basis of experimental observations, this paper develops two well-defined mathematical models for the level of activity of Pharaoh’s ants within their nesting area, with the aim of providing a more general understanding of animal activity. Under specific conditions, we observe that the activity of ants within their nesting area appears to show no dependence on their density. Making the assumption that all ants move independently of one another, this behaviour can be mathematically modelled as a random process based on the binomial distribution. Developing the model on this basis allows an exponential distribution to be exposed that underlies the time-intervals between ants leaving the nesting area. Such a distribution is present, irrespective of whether the ant population in the nesting area remains constant or steadily depletes, and suggests that ant-ant interactions do not play any significant role in determining ant activity under the experimental conditions adopted.The mathematical framework presented plays the role of a null model that will have a wide range of applications for detecting other determinants of activity-level (not addressed in this study) including environmental and social factors such as food availability, temperature, humidity, presence of pheromone trails, along with intraspecific and interspecific interactions outside the nest and, indeed, more generally. The null model should have applications to a range of organisms.Lastly, we discuss our data in relation to a recent study of ants leaving their nest (Richardson et al., 2010) in which the null model was rejected in favour of record dynamics, where ant-ant interactions were conjectured to play a role.     

Advantage of residualizing radiolabels for an internalizing antibody against the B-cell lymphoma antigen, CD22

 LL2 is an anti-CD22 pan-B-cell monoclonal antibody which, when radiolabeled, has a high sensitivity for detecting B-cell, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL), as well as an antitumor efficacy in therapeutic applications. The aim of this study was to determine whether intracellularly retained radiolabels have an advantage in the diagnosis and therapy of lymphoma with LL2. In vitro studies showed that iodinated LL2 is intracellularly catabolized, with a rapid release of the radioiodine from the cell. In contrast, residualizing radiolabels, such as radioactive metals, are retained intracellularly for substantially longer. In vivo studies were performed using LL2-labeled with radioiodine by a non-residualizing (chloramine-T) or a residualizing method (dilactitol-tyramine, DLT), or with a radioactive metal (¹¹¹In). The biodistribution of a mixture of ¹²⁵I (non-residualizing chloramine-T compared to residualizing DLT), ¹¹¹In-labeled LL2 murine IgG2a or its fragments [F(ab′)₂, Fab′], as well as its humanized, CDR-grafted form, was studied in nude mice bearing the RL human B-cell NHL cell line. Radiation doses were calculated from the biodistribution data according to the Medical International Radiation Dose scheme to assess the potential advantage for therapeutic applications. At all assay times, tumor uptake was higher with the residualizing labels (i.e., ¹¹¹In and DLT-¹²⁵I) than with the non-residualizing iodine label. For example, tumor/blood ratios of ¹¹¹In-labeled IgG were 3.2-, 3.5- and 2.8-fold higher than for non-residualizing iodinated IgG on days 3, 7 and 14, respectively. Similar results were obtained for DLT-labeled IgG and fragments with residualized radiolabels. Tumor/organ ratios also were higher with residualizing labels. No significant differences in tumor, blood and organ uptake were observed between murine and humanized LL2. The conventionally iodinated anti-CD20 antibody, 1F5, had tumor uptake values comparable to those of iodinated LL2, the uptake of both antibodies being strongly dependent on tumor size. These data suggest that, with internalizing antibodies such as LL2, labeling with intracellularly retained isotopes has an advantage over released ones, which justifies further clinical trials with residualizing ¹¹¹In-labeled LL2 for diagnosis, and residualizing ¹³¹I and ⁹⁰Y labels for therapy. Received: 23 August 1996 / Accepted: 7 February 1997     

Degeneration of growth cones in a culture of embryonic neurons of mouse with presenilin 1 knockout

A comparative study of growth cone morphology in cultured embryonic neurons derived from wild type PS1(+/+) and knockout PS1(?/?) mice has been performed. Growth cones from wild type PS1(+/+) mice were well spread and usually formed radially continuous and regular lamellar extensions, short filopodia. In contrast, most growth cones from knockout PS1(?/?) mice collapsed after 3–4 days in culture. Summarizing these data, we suggest that PS1 plays an important role in growth cone structure by stabilizing the integrity of the cytoskeleton. The growth cone collapse may be the main reason of abnormal neuronal migration and impaired synaptic function in PS1(?/?) mice.     

Neuroprotective Effects of Natural Products: Interaction with Intracellular Kinases,Amyloid Peptides and a Possible Role for Transthyretin

Various studies reported on the neuroprotective effects of natural products, particularly polyphenols, widely present in food and beverages. For example, we have shown that resveratrol, a polyphenol contained present in red wine and other foods, activates the phosphorylation of protein kinase C (PKC), this effect being involved in its neuroprotective action against Ass-induced toxicity. Moreover, tea-derived catechin gallate esters inhibit the formation Ass oligomers/fibrils, suggesting that this action likely contributes to their neuroprotective effects. Interestingly, the effects of polyphenols may be attributable, at least in part, to the presence of specific binding sites. Autoradiographic studies revealed that these binding sites are particularly enriched in choroids plexus in the rat brain. Interestingly, the choroid plexus secretes transthyretin, a protein that has been shown to prevent Abeta aggregation and that may be critical to the maintenance of normal learning capacities in aging. Taken together, these data suggest that polyphenols target multiple enzymes/proteins leading to their neuroprotective actions.     

Social and genetic structure of a supercolonial weaver ant, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Polyrhachis robsoni</Emphasis>, with dimorphic queens

We studied a population of the Australian weaver ant Polyrachis robsoni with regard to variation in the morphology of its winged queens using six newlydeveloped microsatellite markers. Morphometrically the queens fell clearly into two groups, macrogynes and microgynes, with the latter an isometric reduction of the former. Aggression tests showed that hostility between ants from different nests was minimal. Nests frequently contained numbers of both queen types, with microgynes about twice as numerous as macrogynes. Nestmate workers, microgynes, and macrogynes, were significantly related to others within their caste, with macrogynes more highly related than the other castes. Relatedness values between these groups of nestmates were also significant. Pairwise relatedness values were consistent with both queen morphs producing workers. At the population level, microgynes from different nests were also significantly related and there was a weak inverse relationship between pairwise relatedness value between individuals and distance between nests.We conclude that this species is supercolonial and that the two queen morphs are part of the same population. Received 19 July 2006; revised 16 October 2006; accepted 25 October 2006.     

Correlation of proteome-wide changes with social immunity behaviors provides insight into resistance to the parasitic mite, Varroa destructor, in the honey bee (Apis mellifera)

Background

Disease is a major factor driving the evolution of many organisms. In honey bees, selection for social behavioral responses is the primary adaptive process facilitating disease resistance. One such process, hygienic behavior, enables bees to resist multiple diseases, including the damaging parasitic mite Varroa destructor. The genetic elements and biochemical factors that drive the expression of these adaptations are currently unknown. Proteomics provides a tool to identify proteins that control behavioral processes, and these proteins can be used as biomarkers to aid identification of disease tolerant colonies.

Results

We sampled a large cohort of commercial queen lineages, recording overall mite infestation, hygiene, and the specific hygienic response to V. destructor. We performed proteome-wide correlation analyses in larval integument and adult antennae, identifying several proteins highly predictive of behavior and reduced hive infestation. In the larva, response to wounding was identified as a key adaptive process leading to reduced infestation, and chitin biosynthesis and immune responses appear to represent important disease resistant adaptations. The speed of hygienic behavior may be underpinned by changes in the antenna proteome, and chemosensory and neurological processes could also provide specificity for detection of V. destructor in antennae.

Conclusions

Our results provide, for the first time, some insight into how complex behavioural adaptations manifest in the proteome of honey bees. The most important biochemical correlations provide clues as to the underlying molecular mechanisms of social and innate immunity of honey bees. Such changes are indicative of potential divergence in processes controlling the hive-worker maturation.     

Spatial Variation and Dynamics of Flooding,Canopy Openness,and Structure in a Neotropical Swamp Forest

Temporal changes and spatial variation of soil drainage and understory light availability in 2001 and 2002, small stem (5 ≤ dbh (diameter at breast height) < 10 cm) density, forest successional phase and large stem (dbh ≥ 10 cm) spatial distribution were investigated in 1 ha of tropical swamp forest in southeastern Brazil. Building patches and treefall gaps comprised, respectively, 69.75 and 7.5% of the area in 2002. Semivariograms indicated spatial segregation of successional phases, with mature areas predominating in the North and gaps aggregated into the South. Exclusion of outliers showed large unpredictability of background variation in canopy openness, but patches with high canopy openness values concentrated along the South and East plot borders. Overall canopy openness increased from 2001 to 2002, and was locally autocorrelated between years. In 2001, well-drained and flooded sites comprised 46.75 and 38.19% of the study area, respectively, and were not spatially autocorrelated. In the study period, the number of flooded sites decreased by 40.4%. Canopy openness and small stem density were independent from drainage and were not correlated. Large trees aggregated at scales larger than 40 m, while arborescent palms were aggregated at all scales. Our findings suggest that tropical swamp forests have architectural characteristics similar to that of young, secondary forests and treefall gaps in old-growth forests. Patterns at larger scales pointed to the occurrence of widespread forest degradation, which seems to be particularly advanced in some forest sectors.     

Heydenius araneus n.sp. (Nematoda: Mermithidae), a parasite of a fossil spider, with an examination of helminths from extant spiders (Arachnida: Araneae)

Abstract. A mermithid, a parasite of a spider (Araneae: Thomisidae) in Baltic amber (40 mya), is described as Heydenius araneus n.sp. (Nematoda: Mermithidae) and represents the first fossil record of a nematode parasite of an arachnid. After a critical examination of reports of naturally occurring helminths of extant spiders, I conclude that although mermithid parasitism is well established in this host group, previous reports of hairworm parasites of spiders are "nomina dubia," putative records, or refer to mermithid nematodes.     

Prevalence of allergenic pollen grains in the aerosol of the city of Calcutta,India: a two year study

The role of pollen grains as a causative agent of respiratory allergic disorders such as asthma and allergic rhinitis is common and very well established. The aim of this study was to assess the frequencies of airborne pollen in the Calcutta metropolis and to identify the taxa which cause significant amounts of sensitization. An aeropalynological survey of the atmosphere of Calcutta was carried out from 2004 to 2006. Skin tests were performed with a panel of the most common pollen types on local patients with clinical features of pollinosis. The meteorological factors responsible for the frequency of the pollen types were analysed. The results of monthly visits to the clinic by these patients were correlated with the monthly pollen counts of three dominant and perennial pollen taxa. The dominant pollen types were Trema (19%), Poaceae (12.98%), Casuarina (5.76%), Cocos (5.7%), Azadirachta (4.65%), Peltophorum (3.71%), Cyperaceae (3.68%), Delonix (3.18%) and Areca (2.56%). Total pollen concentration seems to have a significant positive correlation with temperature and wind speed whereas there was a negative correlation with humidity. Skin tests were most frequently found to be positive with the pollen of Poaceae (49%), Azadirachta (46%), Cocos (47%), Cyperaceae (35%), Peltophorum (33%), Areca (29%), Phoenix (26%), and Borassus (23%). A positive correlation occurred between visits to the clinic and monthly pollen count of Areca, Cocos, and Poaceae. This is the first study to design a pollen calendar for Calcutta city; it will provide useful data for enabling allergologists to achieve accurate diagnosis for patients with pollen hypersensitivity.